A lullaby from Vanuatu

Naghol Lullaby

Key: A minor~53 BPMGuitar & Piano chordsOriginal · Pentecost Island, Vanuatu

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Naghol Lullaby Lyrics. An original lullaby inspired by Naghol, the land-diving ritual of Pentecost Island, believed to be the origin of modern bungee jumping. Divers leap from wooden towers up to thirty meters tall with only vines tied to their ankles, calibrated so precisely that their shoulders just brush the earth, and the ritual is traditionally performed at yam harvest time to bring good fortune to the crop. Here you will find the lyrics, meaning, and chords.

Sing & play

Lyrics & chords

An original arrangement, with guitar & piano chords above each line.

Verse

Am Dm Am

Sleep now, little one, the vine and tower rest,

Dm Am E7

the diver’s leap has quieted now, upon the forest crest.

Am Dm Am

Sleep now, little one, the yam harvest is near,

Dm Am E7

tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.

In English

What the words mean

“Sleep now, little one, the vine and tower rest, the diver’s leap has quieted now, upon the forest crest. Sleep now, little one, the yam harvest is near, tomorrow’s sun will rise for you, and chase away all fear.”

Play it

Chords — guitar & piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Guitar

Piano

Download free chord sheet (PDF)

Good to know

What “Naghol Lullaby” Means

On Pentecost Island, young men perform Naghol, a land-diving ritual using only vines tied to their ankles, leaping from tall wooden towers each yam harvest season in what may be the origin of modern bungee jumping. This original lullaby draws on those land-diving and harvest images of Pentecost Island life.

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